Russia strikes power grids in eight Ukrainian regions

Russian forces targeted energy infrastructure in eight Ukrainian oblasts during the night of October 26 to 27. The strikes cut power to consumers in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhza, and Sumy. Khmelnytskyi Oblast also sustained damage to its energy sector.

Ukrenergo, the state-owned electricity transmission operator, reported that hourly power outage schedules are now in effect. These schedules cover up to 2.5 queues across the affected areas. A queue represents a specific group of consumers and businesses using a defined amount of megawatts. The Dispatch Centre sets these numbers to manage energy deficits.

Under a Cabinet resolution, critical infrastructure and large industrial importers using at least 60% of their own energy remain connected. All other consumers face outages that can last between eight and 12 hours per day. Emergency repair crews have begun work in locations where safety conditions allow.

Electricity consumption dropped by 1.36 percent on the morning of October 27 compared to the same time the previous day. Officials attribute this decline to new forced restrictions caused by the damage. Authorities advise residents to limit the use of high-power appliances during peak hours, which run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This measure aims to prevent system overloads and additional accidents.

The city of Konotop in Sumy Oblast remains without electricity for a fourth consecutive day. This outage began following strikes on the night of October 23 to 24. No forecast for power restoration has been issued for that city.